Introduction

Life expectancy is the average number of years a person is expected to live, based on the mortality patterns of a population at a given time. It is a useful summary measure because it brings together the combined effects of many factors that shape health, including childhood survival, access to quality healthcare, infectious and non-communicable diseases, maternal health, nutrition, education, income, safety, and wider living conditions. Tracking life expectancy helps governments, funders, and NGOs see whether progress is being made, where inequalities persist, and which age groups or places may need targeted action.

This dashboard summarizes life expectancy patterns using the UN World Population Prospects 2024 dataset. The analysis contrasts latest estimates vs. projections, compares continents and African countries, and highlights Nigeria across the full available time range.

The work was inspired by a video shared on X (Twitter) that prompted a lot of debate, with many people questioning the claims being made. Rather than relying on opinions, this dashboard provides a clear, evidence-based view—supporting informed conversations and helping partners focus on practical actions that can improve health and wellbeing in Nigeria and beyond.

Lowest Male Life Expectancy (Latest Year) - Chad

Interpretation: The lowest male life expectancy values cluster in a small group of countries, largely in Sub-Saharan Africa, indicating persistent mortality burdens alongside uneven access to health services and higher exposure to preventable risks.
Key takeaway: In 2023, Nigeria had one of the lowest male life expectancies in the world (~54 years), ranking second only to Chad. This places Nigeria in a small cluster of countries facing sustained, preventable mortality burdens — and underscores the urgency of targeted health and development action.

World Map (Male Life Expectancy)

Interpretation: Male life expectancy is highest in Northern America, Europe, and parts of Oceania, with lower values across parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and select fragile contexts.
Key takeaway: Geographic clustering suggests regional health system strength and stability are central drivers.

Life Expectancy for Women

Nigeria’s position

• Nigeria is the lowest on the list.

• Female life expectancy at birth (2023): ~54.7 years.

• Next is Chad (~57.0 years), meaning Nigeria is about 2.3 years lower than the second-lowest country in this set.

• Most of the others are clustered around ~59 to 62 years, so Nigeria is a clear outlier at the very bottom.

Lowest Female Life Expectancy (Latest Year) - Nigeria

Interpretation: The countries with the lowest female life expectancy are concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting continued burdens from maternal health risks, infectious disease, and limited access to care.
Key takeaway: Female life expectancy remains most constrained where health system capacity is weakest.

World Map (Female Life Expectancy)

Continent Trends: Estimates vs Projections

Continent Rankings (Latest Estimates)

Interpretation: Northern America and Europe rank highest, while Africa remains lowest on average, underscoring long‑standing inequality in health outcomes.
Key takeaway: The global ranking reflects durable structural differences rather than short‑term fluctuations.

Lowest Life Expectancy in Africa (Latest Year)

Interpretation: The lowest values within Africa are concentrated in a small set of countries, with Nigeria among the lowest for both sexes, highlighting a persistent regional cluster of low outcomes.
Key takeaway: Africa’s average masks a sharper concentration of very low‑life‑expectancy countries.

Nigeria vs 4 Other African Countries

Interpretation: Nigeria’s trajectory is lower than several large African peers, indicating a persistent gap despite gradual improvements.
Key takeaway: Nigeria underperforms relative to its peer group on life expectancy.

Nigeria: Full Time Range (Estimates + Projections)

Nigeria: Latest Snapshot (Estimates)

This view combines Nigeria’s long-term life expectancy trend with its latest demographic snapshot, showing a country making progress, but under strong population pressure. The left-hand chart tracks life expectancy at birth across the full UN World Population Prospects 2024 time series. Nigeria’s life expectancy rises steadily from the mid-20th century, with periods where progress slowed or dipped, before improving again. The dashed line marks 2023 as the latest year of estimates. Beyond 2023, the projection (medium variant) continues upward, indicating further gradual gains over coming decades if survival continues to improve.

The latest snapshot on the right helps explain why these gains can still feel modest. In 2023, life expectancy is about 54.5 years overall, with male and female values both around the mid-50s. The gender gap is small in this estimate, which can occur where overall mortality is high and preventable deaths affect households and communities widely. Nigeria’s population is very large and still growing, and fertility remains high at roughly 4.5 births per woman. This creates sustained demographic momentum, meaning the number of people needing health services will keep rising for many years, even if fertility begins to fall.

Taken together, the chart and the snapshot tell a clear story. Nigeria is moving in the right direction on life expectancy, and the projections suggest continued improvement. However, progress starts from a low base and is happening alongside rapid population growth, which creates a double challenge for policy and practice. Nigeria needs to reduce avoidable deaths while also expanding the reach and quality of services for a growing population, especially primary healthcare, maternal and newborn care, child health and immunisation, infectious disease prevention and treatment, and reliable emergency referral. Wider improvements in education, livelihoods, nutrition, water and sanitation, and safety will also shape how quickly life expectancy can rise. The key message is that steady gains are possible, but faster, fairer progress will require sustained, system-wide investment.

Total Fertility Rate by Continent

Crude Death Rate by Continent

Population by Continent (Millions)

Summary Interpretation

People are living longer in many parts of the world and death rates have generally fallen over time. However, progress has not been equal, and some continents have improved much faster than others, so the gaps between places remain.

Population growth is fastest in Africa and Asia. This means more people will need healthcare in the years ahead, including clinics, medicines, and health workers, and this rising demand will shape future health outcomes.

Overall, life expectancy continues to increase globally, but large differences persist, especially within Africa. Nigeria is improving gradually, yet it still ranks among the lowest in the world, which highlights the need for sustained investment in health services and in the wider factors that support health, such as education, jobs, safe water, and security.